Last time: Melanie had just arrived at the train station. Freddie, of course, still thinks that she is Sam.

Chapter 2 - still flashing back to Freddie's life March, 2013

"So, your mother tells me there was an accident at your school." Freddie decided to play along with the story line he was told, if for no other reason than to see if Sam and Pam could keep their stories straight.

"Yes, as near as they can tell the chemistry class accidentally left something turned on the other day and in the middle of the night the place caught on fire. It was an old wooden framed building and by the time the fire department arrived, it was completely engulfed. I was asleep in my dorm but the sound woke us all up and all we could do was sit and watch. It was so sad, we were all crying. That school had so much history, it's heart breaking."

"Wow. That's really too bad. But thank goodness you're alright. So I understand that you're going to be going to Ridgeway with me, then?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"Well, Mom says she can't afford to re-enroll me in another private school and with only a few weeks left before graduation there isn't much use in trying. I just wish they'd let me take the final online somehow and skip going to classes. Heck, I don't know why I have to even bother. I got accepted to three different colleges already, and I got a nearly perfect score on the practice final exam we did last month. That should count, shouldn't it?"

This had to be part of the act. Sam never got a perfect score on anything and she was adamant about not going to college. She considered anything beyond community college or trade school to be a waste of money, her time and the opportunity to earn money to buy food with. "College, you say? Which ones?"

"Oh, um, Mid-West U, Illinois State and University of Washington." She smiled as they walked toward baggage claim and talked. "Not that I want to move back home and live with mom or anything but U-Dub has a great technical program. I'm strongly considering it."

"Yeah, they do. I looked into them. But, technology? He scoffed. Sam always hated when he talked tech. "I find that hard to believe."

"Oh yeah, I'm really into the whole deal. I've been president of the a-v club at my school since freshman year. Are you still into the tech thing, too? I mean, since iCarly's over?"

Freddie's head began to spin. Could this really be a different girl? Nah! This was just Sam messing with him, big time. She knew his buttons and exactly how to push them. But if there really were a twin sister that would mean that one time years go when they went out, he wasn't just being pranked by Sam. He really had a genuine date with a real girl, who genuinely wanted to go out with him. But she told him she made up the twin sister just to mess with him so no this was all a ruse, it had to be.

"You alright?" The girl asked. "Freddie?"

"Oh, um, yeah. Just, ah, remembering something I needed to do with my a-v club that's all. I'm president, too." He made up on the spot to cover for his day dreaming.

The two of them soon found Melanie's other bags at the luggage pickup and made their way to his car. After barely cramming all her belongings into his tiny vehicle, they got in and prepared for the drive back to the Puckett house.

"I wanted to say thanks for picking me up. Mom didn't say what, but she had something important to do." Melanie said as she fastened her seat belt.

Freddie looked at her funny as he attached his own belt. Sam never wore a seat belt. And she never said thanks either. Things weren't adding up and he tried to look for clues as to why she was acting so different. Maybe she was just really trying to get into the 'Melanie' persona, maybe she flipped, he couldn't tell what, but something was definitely up.

Freddie and Melanie were making their way toward the Puckett home in his car. "So, did you need to stop anywhere before we get to your house? I skipped lunch, maybe we could stop at Chicken Hut or Burger Joint?" Not that he was specifically asking her out to eat, but he was kind of hungry. That and he figured putting food in front of her would bring out the true Sam.

"Thanks for asking. I'm starved." Well, that sure sounded like something Sam would say. Freddie smirked to himself, he was beginning to crack her.

A few minutes later, Freddie pulled into the parking lot of a fast food place that was always one of Sam's favorites. They got out of the car and headed for the door. Again, she took his hand gently and made no snide comment when he reached for the door handle to open it for her.

"Lunch is on me. Since you picked me up and all." Melanie smiled as Freddie left he go in first.

He nodded and walked in, studying her without making it obvious that he was. There was just something different about her and it wasn't just her offering to buy lunch and her hair color. Still, he found himself attracted to her just like always. He had memories of all the good times they shared over the years and wondered how many more they would make together now that she was home where she belonged.

They were nearly alone in the restaurant, the only other customers already in seats, so they walked right up to the counter. "I guess I know what you're having." He joked.

"You bet." Mel responded and turned to the young girl at the counter. "I'll take a grilled chicken salad with Greek dressing. And a diet peppy cola, please."

Freddie was so shocked, he totally lost track of what he was going to order. Salad? Diet soda? No mountainous pile of French fries, onion rings or anything else deep fried and calorie laden? No buffalo wings with a gallon of blue cheese? No mozzarella sticks? Not even deep fried dill pickles?

"Sir? Did you want anything today?" The short, stalky girl with coal black hair asked as he zoned out.

"Freddie. Go ahead and order anything you want. I'm paying." Melanie giggled and took his hand in hers again. "Really, it's OK."

He jumped a little at the touch and stammered a bit before wrapping his hand around hers and ordering. "Yeah, um, sure. I'll, have a four piece chicken finger basket with onion rings and a root beer. And I guess a side of cheese sticks. They're still your favorite, right?"

Melanie just shrugged, having never tried them.

"Your total is 18.07." The clerk announced and Mel handed her a twenty dollar bill.

"We'll bring that right out to you two. Please sit anywhere you'd like." The girl said as she handed Melanie her change. "Thank you for coming in today and enjoy your meal."

They took a seat and waited for their food. "So, I hear you're in the running to be valedictorian. You must have a pretty good idea of where you're going to school next year." Melanie said.

"Yeah. I actually applied to Cal Tech and got accepted but Mom kind of flung a fit about me being so far away from home." He didn't mention the fact that the Cal-Tech application went in mere days after he learned a certain someone was living in L.A.

He continued. "My guidance counselor says I'm a shoe-in for a full ride scholarship pretty much anywhere. My mom thinks I should go to Seattle Tech because that's where she and my dad went but I was really hoping to see some new sights."

"Whoa, that's awesome. We'll both be going to college right here in town." She smiled with excitement. "Like I said, I really wasn't planning on moving back to Seattle but they have such a good program and since I can get the scholarship, it just makes sense. At least for the first year or so."

He was seeing something he never saw before. Sam was never one to get this excited about anything except the web show or food. Well, maybe giving Gibby a wedgie or stealing stuff. Even though she was a pretty good actress, he doubted even Sam could feign this much excitement over the prospect of college.

"So have you talked to Carly lately?" The young lady asked.

"Not since the other week. She was on video chat with Spencer and I was at his place. I spend a lot of time at his place."

"I haven't talked to her in ages. Maybe we can chat with her sometime. How's Spencer been, by the way?"

This was odd, Sam had called Spencer for Carly's new number just yesterday. Obviously this was either a lie to cover or she couldn't reach her.

"Same old Spencer. Still making art, still setting chiz on fire." Freddie smirked. "I think he's on his sixth fire extinguisher this year already. At least now that he's dating that fire fighter chick he can get them refilled cheap."

Soon their food arrived and Melanie set about to carefully and very properly eating her salad. Freddie simply watched in awe as this young woman meticulously ate with silverware and made polite conversation without belching, scratching, talking with her mouth full or any of the other crude habits that she had a year or so prior. Even though she sounded like a total ditz, maybe this Cat girl Sam met in L.A. was a good influence on her.

"You mind if I snitch an onion ring?" She asked quietly. "They really look good."

He motioned for her to help herself and she picked up a small one with her fork and dipped it into his ketchup cup.

"Thanks. Wow, this is the best onion ring I ever ate." She remarked.

"You want another?" He offered and grinned at her, figuring she'd eat them all anyway.

Instead she declined. "No, I'm getting too full already. Maybe next time. I hope there's a next time." She shyly flirted a little, trying to hint to him that he should ask her out.

Freddie, of course, was too oblivious to pick up on the sign.

"So, what time does school start at Ridgeway?" Melanie asked to change the subject.

Freddie was too busy studying her movements and thinking about how he could learn to like this new version of Sam to be paying any attention to her voice.

"Freddie?" She repeated, waving a hand in front of his face. "You there? You know with as much time as you spent around two girls, I would have thought you'd be a better listener. You keep zoning out on me."

"What? Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, Sam." He recoiled, almost expecting her to slug him.

"I'm not Sam!" She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you getting all freaked out again like you did that time at the dance club?"

"Huh? No, uh, I was just thinking about how, um, how, uh . . . aw, I'm really sorry." He trailed off for a minute, still unsure of what he should say who he even was talking to.

The girl just looked at him funny.

"Look, I really don't know what to make of all this. You, you're so different and it's a good different. Like, I know when we broke up, we talked about all this, like, if you were more normal and stuff."

"I never broke up with you." She half giggled. "We only went out that one time and then you bolted because I kissed you."

His head started to spin again. All he could do was smile at the memory. He certainly didn't want to fight. He missed her too much to fight with her.

It was after a little hesitation that the girl again spoke. "You sure you're alright?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry about all that. It's just good to see you and everything. This is all happening so fast. A lot of things are running through my mind. You know, college, senior year, my mom and all." He excused. "You being here."

His answer appeased her for the time being as they finished their food. Only small mundane things were talked about on their way to the Puckett home. Various teachers and school subjects were discussed and soon Freddie pulled his car into the driveway and shut it off.

"So, did you want me to pick you up and drive you to school Monday?" Freddie asked and Melanie nodded while he opened the trunk. "Here, let me get a couple of those for you." He took her two biggest bags and followed her to the door.

As they stepped onto the porch, the door flew open and Pam Puckett stepped outside, holding an overnight bag. "Oh, hey kiddo. I like the hair. Guess what? I did it! I hit the jackpot! Mama's heading to Vegas." She half heartedly hugged her daughter with one arm and headed for her own car. "You guys have the whole school thing worked out?"

"Yes, mother. Freddie said he will make sure I get to school." Mel replied with a bit of an eye roll. "Have fun in Vegas. I guess I'll be OK. All alone."

"Awh, you're almost out of high school, you're old enough to take care of yourself for a couple of days. Wish me luck." And with that, the older woman jumped in her own car, backed out of the driveway and sped off down the road.

Freddie followed Melanie through the open door and into the house.

Don't worry, Freddie will soon get a wake up call.